Spain's Regions Eye New Toll Systems for Congested Highways

The Catalan government is studying two pay‑per‑use models for its high‑capacity roads: a vignette system similar to Austria, Switzerland or Slovenia, and the Basque model where regional authorities collect tolls to fund maintenance. Minister Silvia Paneque said the AP‑7 is reaching capacity limits, with 15,000 trucks daily at La Jonerra and 35,000 heavy vehicles in the Vallès, creating unsafe conditions. She emphasized the need for a reliable, stable financing source that can also support public transport, and ruled out returning to traditional barrier tolls.

In southern Spain, the AP‑4 between Seville and Cádiz has suffered chronic congestion, lane closures after fires, and a severe lack of alternative autovías. Officials argue that restoring tolls and adding lanes or truck restrictions are needed to preserve safety and efficiency. Both regions see new toll schemes as essential to finance upkeep of overloaded motorways that serve millions of commuters and freight traffic.